Fairlee, VT frost dates
Last spring frostMay 9median date
First fall frostOct 2median date
Growing season146 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Fairlee compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fairlee falls between April 29 and May 22, a 23-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 15.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Vermont median of May 13.
- Its 146-day growing season is longer than 66% of the 286 Vermont places with a regular frost season (state median 143 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 178 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Manchester, NH, 117 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 18 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 29 |
| 50% (median) | May 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 2 |
| 90% (late) | October 15 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Fairlee, VT
Fairlee, VT frost dates — last frost May 9, first frost Oct 2, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 13
Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fairlee, VT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 11 – May 16 | Aug 7 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 30 – Jun 13 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Basil | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 4 – May 16 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 18 – Oct 23 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Union Village Dam, VT weather station, 13 km away (elevation 459 ft (140 m)).
Frost dates near Fairlee
- North Thetford May 9 · Oct 2
- West Fairlee May 14 · Sep 29
- Post Mills May 9 · Oct 2
- East Thetford May 9 · Oct 2
- Thetford Center May 9 · Oct 2
- Bradford May 14 · Sep 29
- Vershire May 14 · Sep 29
- Strafford May 9 · Oct 2
- Corinth May 14 · Sep 29
- South Strafford May 9 · Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fairlee, VT?
The median last spring frost in Fairlee, VT is May 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fairlee, VT?
The median first fall frost is October 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Fairlee, VT?
About 146 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fairlee, VT?
Fairlee, VT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.